Hope this post adds something to this megathread, and maybe brings a bit of a fresh perspective to the “controversy”
“Facts”
11/16 – Patriots defeat Colts 42-20 in Indianapolis.
Colts intercept Brady and equipment staff “discovers” ball is underinflated.
Colts do nothing (apparently) – nothing is mentioned to league and/or league does nothing. Nothing is mentioned to media and/or media does not run with story. No outrage by Colts players about integrity of game being compromised.
11/30 – Patriots lose to Packers 26-21 in Green Bay.
During telecast, Jim Nantz shares story about conversation with Aaron Rodgers in which he discusses his “preparation” of game balls – that he tries to overinflate the balls beyond what the rules specify. That he hopes the game balls get by the inspection process of the officials. He alludes that in the past, when officials discovered the footballs were overinflated, the officials would release some of the air.
No media outrage, no concerns or questions about the integrity of the game were raised. No NFL investigation or comment.
11/30 - Carolina loses at Minnesota 31-13
During the games, both teams place game balls under heaters - in violation of NFL rules with regard to game balls. No penalties, controversy or media storm was created.
Sunday - 1/18 - AFC Conference Championship game
Tom Brady selects footballs to be used in Conference Championship Game – balls are provided to the officials and marked for game play.
(Whether or not they were inspected and measured is not yet confirmed).
Game Plays:
Indy Drive 1: 3 & Out
NE Drive 1: 3 & Out
NE Punt: Kicking Ball (not under question) – Indy Fumbles
NE Drive 2: 6 Plays, 26 Yard Touchdown Drive: 4 Runs, 2 Passes
Indy Drive 2: 11 Play Drive, ending in Missed 51-yd FG
NE Drive 3: 8 Plays , 59 Yard Touchdown Drive: 2 Passes, 2 Incomplete Passes, 4 Rushes (including a Fumble,
recovered by NE)
Indy Drive 3: 5 Plays and Punt
NE Drive 4: 10 Plays: 5 Runs, 5 Passes – ending in an interception on the last passing attempt
Indy Drive 4: 12 Play, 93 Yard Touchdown Drive
NE Drive 5: 16 Plays, Ending in 21 Yard FG: 7 Rushes, 2 Completions, 7 Incomplete passes
Indy Drive 5: Knee – ending the first half
At halftime, footballs used by New England are found to be underinflated, below the 12.5 minimum PSI
(NFL has not published the measurements)
Second Half – Original Patriots Footballs replaced with properly inflated footballs (unconfirmed)
Patriots outscore Colts 28-0.
Where is the integrity of the game jeopardized?
If this was a major circumvention of the rules, unsportsmanlike, CHEATING – why didn’t the Colts scream bloody murder during the first half following the interception? Why didn’t they require a measurement of the footballs in the first half?
“Facts”
11/16 – Patriots defeat Colts 42-20 in Indianapolis.
Colts intercept Brady and equipment staff “discovers” ball is underinflated.
Colts do nothing (apparently) – nothing is mentioned to league and/or league does nothing. Nothing is mentioned to media and/or media does not run with story. No outrage by Colts players about integrity of game being compromised.
11/30 – Patriots lose to Packers 26-21 in Green Bay.
During telecast, Jim Nantz shares story about conversation with Aaron Rodgers in which he discusses his “preparation” of game balls – that he tries to overinflate the balls beyond what the rules specify. That he hopes the game balls get by the inspection process of the officials. He alludes that in the past, when officials discovered the footballs were overinflated, the officials would release some of the air.
No media outrage, no concerns or questions about the integrity of the game were raised. No NFL investigation or comment.
11/30 - Carolina loses at Minnesota 31-13
During the games, both teams place game balls under heaters - in violation of NFL rules with regard to game balls. No penalties, controversy or media storm was created.
Sunday - 1/18 - AFC Conference Championship game
Tom Brady selects footballs to be used in Conference Championship Game – balls are provided to the officials and marked for game play.
(Whether or not they were inspected and measured is not yet confirmed).
Game Plays:
Indy Drive 1: 3 & Out
NE Drive 1: 3 & Out
NE Punt: Kicking Ball (not under question) – Indy Fumbles
NE Drive 2: 6 Plays, 26 Yard Touchdown Drive: 4 Runs, 2 Passes
Indy Drive 2: 11 Play Drive, ending in Missed 51-yd FG
NE Drive 3: 8 Plays , 59 Yard Touchdown Drive: 2 Passes, 2 Incomplete Passes, 4 Rushes (including a Fumble,
recovered by NE)
Indy Drive 3: 5 Plays and Punt
NE Drive 4: 10 Plays: 5 Runs, 5 Passes – ending in an interception on the last passing attempt
Indy Drive 4: 12 Play, 93 Yard Touchdown Drive
NE Drive 5: 16 Plays, Ending in 21 Yard FG: 7 Rushes, 2 Completions, 7 Incomplete passes
Indy Drive 5: Knee – ending the first half
At halftime, footballs used by New England are found to be underinflated, below the 12.5 minimum PSI
(NFL has not published the measurements)
Second Half – Original Patriots Footballs replaced with properly inflated footballs (unconfirmed)
Patriots outscore Colts 28-0.
Where is the integrity of the game jeopardized?
If this was a major circumvention of the rules, unsportsmanlike, CHEATING – why didn’t the Colts scream bloody murder during the first half following the interception? Why didn’t they require a measurement of the footballs in the first half?